If you read my bio you know that I have a good size collection of Disney books, figurines and ornaments. In addition, I do have a couple unique items that are very special to me. One of them is a Playbill for the Broadway Play Beauty and the Beast signed by every member of the original cast as well as Alan Menken who wrote the music.
The play opened on Broadway, at the Palace Theater in Times Square, April 18th, 1994. The play was nominated for a number of Tony Awards that year including Best Musical. Susan Egan was the original Belle and she was nominated for a Tony Award in the Best Actress in a Musical category. Susan later went on to do a number of things for Disney. She was both the speaking and signing voice of Megara in Disney’s animated movie Hercules and has done a number of Disney concerts. Other notables in the original cast were Tom Bosley, who played Belle’s father and David Ogden Stiers who was the voice of the prologue narrator.
My wife and I were lucky enough to see the play shortly after it opened; with the original cast. Of all the Disney animated musicals, I think music from Beauty and the Beast works so wonderfully well as a Broadway play; better than any other musical. And the selection of Susan Egan as Belle was brilliant. I fell in love with her the moment I heard her sing; what a beautiful voice! We went back and saw the play with Deborah Gibson as Belle, and saw the touring version when it came to Boston. However, for me nothing beat seeing the play with the original cast. It was a very special experience!
So, how did I end up with a Playbill signed by the original cast? Well, there is an organization of Broadway actors called “Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS”. I saw that they were offering this signed Playbill for a donation. I was quick to send in my donation and in return they sent me the Playbill. I have no idea how many of these are in existence, however, I don’t think the number is very large. All I know is that it is very special to me and treasure it as a prized item in my Disney collection.
Here’s a bit of information regarding the Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS organization:
“Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS is the nation’s leading industry based HIV/AIDS fundraising and grant-making organization. We fund the social service work of The Actors Fund and award grants twice a year to AIDS service organizations nationwide. With your help, what we do together will make a difference.”
Here’s the cover of the Playbill.
Here you see where Alan Menken signed his name.
This page has the actors and actresses who had the principle roles. They included Susan Egan, Tom Bosley and Terrance Mann who played the Beast.
David Ogden Stiers signature.
The rest of the cast.
I hope you enjoyed hearing about this special item in my collection. I’l love to hear if you have some special Disney memorabilia; so leave me a comment and tell me all about it.
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Well, that’s all for now. As my good friend says “see ya real soon”…DizneyMike
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DizneyMike, thanks for sharing your story and your playbill. I love Broadway and I love Disney. The combination of the two can be fantastic.
I took my son to NYC 2 summers ago and we saw Mary Poppins. It was fantastic. I couldn’t believe what they were able to do on stage. The touring production comes to our city next year and I’m anxious to see what they can re-create on the road.
Next month, Beauty and the Beast comes to town and I’m taking my 9 year old daughter. I’ve never seen the stage version and we are both looking forward to it. It will help give me my Disney and Broadway fix.
Keep up the good work with your blog!
DizneyMike replies: Mike, I know you will love Beauty and the Beast. It is such a fantastic Disney play. Thanks for the comment…Mike
Fun. Very nice. I’m doing Beauty and the Beast at my school in two weeks.
DizneyMike replies: Hale, good luck with the play…Mike
That is an amazing treasure of a playbill!
I saw Susan Egan perform in concert once, at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia. She sang Home that night, and it was absolutely amazing!
I was lucky enough to get her autograph on her CD that night…I would love to see her do more with Disney!.
DizneyMike replies: Amanda, no question in my mind that Susan is truly amazing! I’m glad that you were able to hear her sing. And, as you know she does a fantastic job with Home. Thanks for the comment…Mike
My special piece of Disney memorabilia came from Epcot, specifically Millennium Village. My family was talking to a CM there for a while and telling her all about how much we love Disney and especially Epcot and Millennium Village. She told us that there was someone we needed to meet: the VP of Epcot! He saw that my sister and I were (are) pin collectors and told us that we could each pick a pin off of his lanyard without giving him one in return. I still have that pin and will never trade it!
DizneyMike replies: Steph, that’s fantastic, thanks for sharing that with us….Mike
What a lovely piece of memorabilia, thank you for sharing!
I have a version of the song ‘Home’ (from B&B musical) on a Disney Classics cd – and often thought the singer sounded more like Meg from Hercules than Belle (Paige o’Hara), now it makes sense.. it’s Susan Egan! 🙂
DizneyMike replies: Emma, Susan Egan is a very special talent. I wish she’d do more with Disney. Thanks for commenting on my Playbill blog….Mike
I enjoyed your blog. Loving theater the way I do, I understand how cherished this Playbill is to you. What a wonderful keepsake you have with this signed program.
DizneyMike replies: Jack, yes, it’s a very, very special keepsake. Hopefully one of these days that I’ll get to show it to you in person. It’s always special when another AllEars.net team member comments on my blog. Much appreciated…Mike